Office of International Affairs
Survey of International Information on Health Effects due to Radiation

1. Purpose

　The scientific data on health effects due to ionizing radiation are compiled and analyzed in order to assist the REA radiation epidemiology study program. We also survey international scientific organizations concerning radiological protection in order to research the current trends in radiological studies and the application of epidemiological data to radiation protection.
　The results of the above programs are compiled in the database to provide current topics on health effects due to radiation for epidemiology experts, experts on regulations, and the public.

2. Method

　Information analysis is performed based on the scientific data of health effects due to ionizing radiation and nuclear accident such as Chernobyl, which are published in the journals and covered at the meetings of international societies of radiological sciences such as the International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA).
　In addition, we survey and analyze the work of international scientific organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Nuclear Energy Agency of Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD/NEA), International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) and United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) concerning radiological protection in order to contribute to the radiation safety work of these organizations.

3. Procedures

　This program started in April 2004 under the study committee and its five sub-committees consisting of radiological science experts. These committees compile and analyze the scientific data published in the journals and covered at the meetings of international societies that examine radiation epidemiology and related fields. We also survey the work of international organizations such as the Radiation Safety Standard Committee (RASSC) of IAEA, and OECD/NEA. In addition, we organize symposiums and lectures on health effects due to radiation to provide current their topics for radiological science experts and the public.